Nikki Haley Backs U.S. Exit From Iran Talks, Calls Negotiations ‘Not Worth Our Time’

WASHINGTON — Former U.S. ambassador and Republican leader Nikki Haley said Monday that the United States was right to walk away from nuclear talks with Iran, backing the Trump administration’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and arguing that negotiations had reached a dead end.

Speaking in an interview with CNN, Haley said the two sides were far apart in their positions. “The US had a 15 point plan. Iran had a 10 point plan. They really were miles apart,” she said, adding that “the Iranians were not willing to give up their nuclear production” or relinquish control over the strategic waterway.

She supported Vice President J.D. Vance’s decision to halt negotiations, saying, “We’re not gonna continue talks. This isn’t worth our time,” and signaled a shift toward more aggressive measures. “We’re gonna go after Iran where it hurts,” she said.

Haley described the blockade as part of a broader effort to pressure Iran economically. “The part to really bring Iran to its knees is to go after it economically,” she said, emphasizing that keeping the Strait of Hormuz open is vital for global trade.

She warned that Iran was attempting to use its geographic position to exert pressure on the United States and its allies. “Iran sees winning as putting as much political and economic pressure on Trump and the Gulf allies as they can. This is a game of chicken,” she said.

Highlighting the global impact, Haley noted that “20 per cent of oil, 20 per cent of liquified natural gas” and “a third of the fertilizer” pass through the strait. “Typically 135 ships would go through the strait a day. Now we’ve got maybe a handful… You’ve got a backlog of 400 ships,” she said.

Haley said the goal was not prolonged conflict. “We don’t want an endless war. This needs to be completed fast,” she said, adding that U.S. naval forces were already positioned in the region to secure shipping lanes.

On Iran’s nuclear program, she said any resolution must include removing enriched uranium. “President Trump has said that he doesn’t want Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” she said, noting that U.S. allies in the Gulf share that objective.

She suggested a targeted military option could be necessary. “I think that’s probably what it’s gonna come down to… It would take about a week to 10 days to get done,” she said, describing it as a “special force mission” that would be “dangerous.”

Haley also accused China and Russia of supporting Iran’s military capabilities. “China has supplied… hundreds of ballistic missiles,” she said, adding that Beijing could provide additional air defense systems.

She questioned whether the U.S. should proceed with a planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. “I question whether the summit should go on,” she said, calling for a tougher stance unless China halts its support to Iran.

Despite previously criticizing Trump during the 2024 campaign, Haley said he is now handling adversaries firmly. “He’s dealing with our adversaries in a way that’s strong and not weak,” she said, while noting that his approach can sometimes “cause chaos.”

She also pointed to domestic economic concerns, calling rising national debt and pressure on entitlement programs the country’s “biggest issue,” with U.S. debt approaching $40 trillion. (Source: IANS)